Ratchet wrench



Jan. 11, 1955 w. VIETS RATCHET WRENCH Filed Sept. 24, 1952 INVENTOR.WALTER V| ETS United States Patent O RATCHET WRENCH Walter Viets, St.Louis, Mo.

Application September 24, 1952, Serial No. 311,181

9 Claims. (Cl. 8158.2)

This invention relates to improvements in ratchet wrenches, and moreparticularly to open-end wrenches of this type provided with improvedassembly means, and improved driving means and detachable connectionsbetween the several rotatable parts.

An important object of the present improvements is to provide animproved driving connection of quickdetachable type between a rotatableratchet and a coaxially carried socket member, and is realized by anovel shank construction of a socket member together with a companionformation of a ratchet element by which the socget member is detachablycarried and rotatably actuate Heretofore the socket-driving connectionsin wrenches of this type have been constituted of various types ofabutments between the ratchet and socket, but these abutments have beenformed and arranged in such positions that the ratchet tends to beforced out of alignment when subjected to a high torque, and the head orshank of a slotted, interchangeable socket is frequently subject to acollapsing deformation. It is accordingly a major objective of thepresent improvements to provide an open-end socket-ratchet assembly thatis specifically adapted to retain the ratchet in horizontal alignment,to hold the socket in rigid vertical position at all times, and toprevent any tendency of the ratchet either to open or collapse under aheavy strain or torque load, thus materially increasing the rigidity,accuracy and life of the wrench head.

Further objective features of the present wrench improvements include anopen-end wrench head assembly having a rotatable ratchet, and a socketmember having a shank on which tenons are formed and arranged externallyof the periphery thereof, to cooperate with compatible mortises formedas recesses communicating with the ratchet opening, so as to provide apositive driving connection serving to keep the ratchet from opening andthe socket shank from deforming under a heavy torque applied in eitherdirection.

Another important objective is realized in an improved simplifiedfastening device between the head frame and cover plate, such that theplate is normally held contiguous with the head frame along the entireperiphery thereof, thus preventing the plate from being verticallydisplaced when the wrench head is subjected to a high torque. Obviously,this desirable feature further adds to the rigidity and strength of thewrench by substantially uniting the head as a one piece unit, byproviding more metal in the regions which are placed under heavy stress,and by avoiding loss of metal and strength of head incident to assemblyscrews and apertures therefor.

A still further and important objective is realized by using an improvedfastening device to retain the periphery of the cover plate to the headframe, since all screws, rivets, drilling and tapping operations areeliminated, and the number of jigs and fixtures used in manufacturingthe wrench head are minimized.

Further objects and advantages include the provision of a peripheralgroove formed in the upper portion of the head frame, a cover platepositioned adjacent the groove, and a wire spring fastener normallyarranged in the groove and on the plate in a virtually concealedposition, in a manner so as to prevent vertical displacement of theplate, and yet being accessible to enable quick and easy giseigagementincident to removal of the plate from the "ice Yet another valuableobject of the improvements is realized in an optimum disposition andarrangement of the socket shank in the wrench head, such that the shankwhen in operative relation to the ratchet extends above the level of theratchet and head frame, thus facilitating the release and withdrawal ofthe socket member from the wrench head.

The foregoing and numerous other-objects of the invention will moreclearly appear from the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment, particularly when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the wrench head assembly;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view as taken along line 22 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view in cross section as taken along line 3-3 of Fig.2;

Fig. 4 is a reduced top plan view of the spring wire fastener;

Fig. 5 is an end view in cross section as taken along line 5-5 of Fig.2;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the arcuate control slide;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view as taken along staggered line 7-7 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view showing one modification in thetype of ratchet mortise and socket tenon;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary top plan view showing another modification inthe type of ratchet mortise and socket tenon, and

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view in cross section showing theconnection between the cover plate and head frame of the assembly.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, and first toFigs. 1, 2, and 3, a head frame or wrench head of a generally oblong oroval shape in plan, is generally indicated at 10, and includes aforemost partly circular portion 11 the width of Which, as will appear,exceeds only to a minimal extent, the diameter of the ratchet generallyindicated at 12.

The ratchet as will be understood, is journalled in the head 10 throughthe provision of a part-circular internal recess 13 in the head occupiedby the peripheral toothed projecting portion 14 of the ratchet. Ratchet12 rotatably rests upon a part-annular shoulder 15, this being in thelower portion of the head 10, and is similarly engaged by a removablecover plate 16. Provided peripherally of the projecting portion 14 ofthe ratchet are ratchet teeth 17 with which the pawls, later described,coact in providing for a step-by-step manipulation of the ratchet uponmovement of a detachable wrench handle 20 (Fig. 2). The forward end ofhandle 20 is provided with a swivel joint 21, one member of which isattached to a squared post 22 engaging a conforming socket 23 in thewrench head. A spring-pressed ball 24 tends to retain the post 22 inposition in socket 23, in a well known manner.

The wrench head includes a rearwardly extending tail portion 25 in whicha pair of pawl recesses 26 are formed, each of which is of such crosssection as will enable a few degrees of swing therein of an adjacentpawl 27 against the loading of a pawl spring 30. Each of the springs 30has its outermost end seated in a spring seat socket 31 formed adjacentthe pawl recess 26.

Each of the pawls 27 include a blade portion, the outermost end of whichis adapted at times to engage the side of an adjacent tooth 17 on theratchet 12. In this position, the pawl blade opposes reverse movement ofthe ratchet in the head. An integral part-cylindrical pawl pivot portionis journalled in a conforming recess therefor indicated at 32. From thisarrangement, it appears that each of the pawls 27 may be pivoted betweenan operative position and an inoperative or out-of-action positionagainst the loading of the adjacent pawl spring 30.

A control member is provided to facilitate a shifting movement of thepawls 27 between active and inactive positions, and consists of anarcuate slide 33, best seen in Fig. 6, and which is shiftabletransversely of the head frame 10 within narrow limits in a manner todisengage concurrently, or selectively to permit engagement of the pawls27 with the ratchet teeth 17. Carried in depending relation from each ofthe slide ends, is a pawl-engaging lug indicated at 34 shown by Figs. 3and 6. Projecting upwardly, i. e., perpendicularly to the slide 33, isan integral actuating lug or finger piece 35. Although one such fingerelement would suffice, it is preferred to provide a pair thereof, one ateach end of the arcuate slide 33.

The cover 16 for the head frame 10, as will appear, overlies virtuallyall of the tail portion 25 of the wrench head including the slide 33,further covering the peripheral portion of the ratchet member 12,serving further as a cover for the pawls 27 and preventing the axialdisplacement of same, and likewise covering the pawl 1ecesses 26. A slot36 is provided in the cover 16 for each of the finger pieces 35, theslots 36 being of a width to accommodate the finger, and being of suchlength that the ends of the slot act to limit movement of piece 35, andhence to limit the range of actuation of the slide 33 in eitherdirection.

Head frame 10 is provided with a vertical peripheral flange 37 and anadjacent horizontal cover-receiving seat 40, as viewed in Fig. 2. Thecover plate 16 is normally positioned on the seat 40 with its peripheralmargin lying in abutting relation with head flange 37. A relativelyshallow groove 41 is provided entirely around the inner surface offlange 37, the groove 41 being formed in a substantially horizontalplane. The cover 16 is further provided with an oblique shoulder 42 atthe uppermost outer margin, the shoulder 42 sloping downwardly andoutwardly to a point just below groove 41. It will be noted that flange37 and shoulder 42 form a downwardly convergent passageway communicatingwith groove 41.

Normally disposed in the passageway is a wire spring fastener 43 (Fig.4) that positions partly in the groove 41 and partly on the obliqueshoulder 42, the spring fastener 43 being of a type which tends toexpand outwardly into the groove 41. In assembly position (Figs. 1 and4) the wire spring 43 bears on the oblique shoulder 42 to retain thecover 16 in place on the head frame 10 along the entire periphery of thecover, and thereby prevents any vertical cover displacement. Upstandingtabs or ears 44 are formed on each end of the wire fastener 43, and areextended upwardly into the passageway so as to be easily accessible fromthe open top. Moving the tabs 44 in a direction toward each other, or ina manner so as to contract the wire spring 43, cams the wire fastenerupwardly on the shoulder 42 and out of the holding groove 41, and henceout of the peripheral passageway. The cover 16 can then be readilyremoved from the head frame 10. In addition to eliminating all screws,bolts, rivets, and economizing in the manufacture of the wrenchgenerally, the wire spring 43 is arranged so as to add metal instrategic locations, i. e. along the entire cover periphery, whichmaterially increases the strength and rigidity of the wrench head.

The rotatable ratchet 12 is provided with an axial opening therethrough,adapted to carry a shank 45 of a slotted or open-side socket member 46.The shank 45 is substantially of a U-shaped cross section having anarcuate rear wall 47, and substantially straight side walls 48. Eachside wall 48 is further provided with an outwardly proiecting tenon orrib formation 50 approximately medially thereof, or in other wordsspaced substantially inwardly from the forward end of the wall 48. Eachtenon 50 is of broader cross section at its outermost portion and narrowat its base, and is further located as to lie symmetrically with thetransverse axis of the socket as shown by Figs. 1 and 3. In thepreferred construction, shown in Fig. 1, the tenons 50 are of adove-tailed type, while Figs. 8 and 9 disclose other modifications,namely, of a rounded U-shaped and a T-shaped configuration,respectively.

The ratchet opening conforms substantially to the outer configuration ofthe shank 45, and includes an arcuate rear wall 51, and substantiallystraight side walls 52, with tenon-receiving recesses r mortises 53. Thetenons 50 operatively cooperate with the mortises 53 to provide apositive driving connection between. the ratchet 12 and socket member 46that holds the ratchet in position, and prevents any tendency of theratchet to twist, open, or otherwise move out of alignment whensubjected to a high torque, and likewise, due to the keying orinterfitting relation of socket shank and ratchet hub, prevents anytendency of the shank to collapse or deform l l h g wrench torque.

The head frame 10 and ratchet 12 are each provided with an end-openingthat forms inner shoulders or faces 54 that lie adjacent the innersurfaces of the straight side walls 43 of the shank 45, whereby toafford a continuous, uninterrupted U-shaped opening (best seen in Figs.1 and 3) adapted to enable application of the wrench head and ratchetendwise to and away from a polygonal threaded connection.

Axial retention of the socket member 26 in the ratchet is provided forby a spring-pressed ball 55 engaging a suitable groove 56 formed in theshank portion 45 of the socket.

To facilitate the removal of the socket member 46 from the ratchet 12,the shank 45 is of such length as to extend upwardly to a height aboveor beyond the level of the ratchet 12 and head frame 10, thus permittingthe socket to be disengaged from the retaining ball element 55 by adownward force or push exerted on the uppermost end 57 of the shank,shown in Fig. 2. it is apparent that the removability and replacementfeature of the socket member 46 is enhanced, since under some workingconditions, for example in the presence of much oil or grease, the lowerportion of the socket is difficult to be effectively gripped to startthe shank 45 out of the ratchet opening.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed referenceto a single preferred embodiment and several modifications thereof, suchdetail is to be understood in an instructive, rather than in anyrestrictive sense, many variants being possibe within the fair scope ofthe claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a ratchet wrench, a head frame, a ratchet journalled in said headframe, the ratchet being provided with an axial opening therethrough,means for rotating the ratchet, and a socket member having a shankcarried coaxially by the ratchet in said opening, the shank beingsubstantially of a U-shaped cross section with an arcuate rear wall andsubstantially straight side walls, each of the side walls being providedwith a tenon that is considerably spaced from the forward end of saidshank, said tenons being located in directly opposite relation, each ofsaid tenons being relatively broad at the outermost portion and narrowat the base, each tenon being arranged symmetrically relative to thetransverse axis of said ratchet, the ratchet opening being characterizedby a wall conforming substantially to the configuration of the outerwall surface of said shank, and includes laterally recessed mortiscs,the mortises being considerably spaced from the forward end of saidratchet, each of said mortiscs being relatively broad at the outermostportion and narrow at the base, and being arranged symmetricallyrelative to said transverse axis, the tenons being received by thecorresponding mortises to provide a driving connection between theratchet and said socket member.

2. In a ratchet wrench, a head frame, a ratchet journalled in said headframe, the ratchet being provided with an axial opening therethrough,means for rotating the ratchet, said opening being formed to provide anarcuate rear wall and substantially straight, parallel side walls, eachof the side walls of said opening being provided approximately mediallythereof with a dove-tailed mortise, each mortise having a front and arear margin disposed at an acute angle to the side wall, each mortisebeing arranged symmetrically relative to the transverse axis of saidratchet, and a socket member having a shank carried coaxially by theratchet in said opening, the shank being substantially of a U-shapedcross section, and includes an arcuate rear wall, and substantiallystraight, parallel side walls adapted to lie contiguously with therespective arcuate and straight walls of the ratchet opening, each sidewall of the shank being provided approximately medially thereof with adove-tailed tenon, each tenon having a front and a rear shoulderdisposed at an acute angle to the adjacent side wall, each tenon beingarranged symmetrically relative to said transverse axis and adapted tobe received by the corresponding dove-tailed mortise, whereby to providea driving connection between the ratchet and the socket member, the headframe and the ratchet being provided with a forward opening which formshorizontally spaced, straight parallel shoulders that lie insubstantially the same plane as the adjacent inner surface of the sidewalls of said shank, the shank in assembly extending upwardly to aheight substantially above the top level of the ratchet head, whereby tofacilitate disengagement of the dove-tailed tenons and mortises,incident to removal of the socket member from the ratchet.

3. In a ratchet wrench, a head frame having an internal recess, aratchet journalled in said recess, means for rotating the ratchet, thehead frame being provided with a horizontal peripheral groove, a coverplate for the head frame adapted to overlie the periphery of the ratchetand to position said ratchet in the head frame recess, the cover platebeing provided with an oblique shoulder at its uppermost outer margin,said oblique shoulder being divergent downwardly to provide a passagewaycommunicating with said groove, and a spring wire normally located insaid groove and in bearing relation against said shoulder, whereby tofasten detachably the periphery of the cover plate to said head frame,the spring wire normally tending to expand outwardly into said groove,the wire including upstanding tabs that are accessible to facilitatecontraction of the spring wire incident to removal from the groove, thewire being cammed upwardly on said oblique shoulder upon contraction torelease said cover plate.

4. In a ratchet wrench, a head frame having an internal recess, aratchet journalled in said recess, means for rotating the ratchet, thehead frame being provided with a vertical peripheral flange, the flangehaving a shallow groove formed in and extending entirely around theinternal surface of said flange, a cover plate arranged on the headframe so as to abut the flange and overlie the periphery of the ratchet,the cover plate including an oblique shoulder at its uppermost outermargin, said shoulder and flange providing a downwardly convergentperipheral passageway communicating with the flange groove, and a springwire normally disposed in said passageway, the wire being located partlyin said groove and partly in bearing relation on said oblique shoulder,whereby to fasten detachably substantially the entire periphery of thecover Dlate to said head frame, and to position the ratchet in saidjournalling recess, the wire including upstanding tabs that areaccessible from the top of the passageway to facilitate contraction ofthe spring wire incident to removal from the groove and passageway, thewire being cammed upwardly on said oblique shoulder upon contraction.

5. In a ratchet wrench, a head frame characterized by an internal,part-cylindrical recess constituting a journal for a ratchet, a ratchetseated in said journalling recess, means for rotating said ratchet. thehead frame including a vertical peripheral flange and a horizontalcover-receiving seat adiacent said flange, the flange being providedwith a horizontally disposed shallow groove which extends entirelyaround the vertical internal surface of said flange. a cover platearranged to position on said seat and to abut said flange, the coverplate being located so as to overlie the periphery of the ratchet, thecover plate further including an oblique shoulder formed along itsuppermost outer margin. said shoulder having its lower portion locatedadiacent the flange below the groove. and its upper portion horizontallyspaced from said flange. said flange and shoulder forming a down-- ardlvconvergent passageway which communicates with the flange groove. and awire spring disposed in said passageway. and adapted to position partlyin said groove and partl on said shoulder. the wire spring being of atype which tends normally to expand outwardly into said groove. wherebyto prevent vertical displacement of the cover plate. the wire springfurther including upstanding end tabs that are accessible from the topof said nassa eway and adapted to facilitate contracti n of the Wirespring incident to removal thereof from the roove and passageway. thewire spring being adapted to be cammed upwardly on said shoulder.

6. In a ratchet wrench. a head frame. a ratchet inurnalled in the headframe and provided with peri heral ratchet tee h. a spring-pressed new]in the head. having one end adapted to enga e the individual teeth f theratchet and to be deflected thereby as the ratchet is mr ed in onedirection relative to the head. a pawl-control s ide overlying the pawland a portion of the peripher f the ratchet. and movable transversely fthe head f e in an are immediately overlying the periphery of theratchet. the slide servin to retain the pawl and ratchet in assem y. a pw -engaging proiection extending from one f e of the slide into aposition to abut at times. one side of the pawl to disen age the samefrom the ratchet to provide free rotation of the ratchet, a finger pieceprojecting upwardly of the slide to facilitate actuation of the same,and a cover plate for the head frame provided with a transverse slot inthe region of the finger piece, proportioned to limit the range ofmovement of the slide upon engagement of the finger piece with theopposite ends of the slot, the cover plate overlying the pawl and theslide for retention of the same in assembly, and means for detachablyfastening the cover plate to the head frame.

7. A ratchet wrench including a head frame characterized by an internal,part-cylindrical recess constituting a journal for a ratchet member, aratchet member having a peripheral projection operable in and coactingwith said journalling recess, the ratchet member being providedperipherally of its last said portion with ratchet teeth, the head frameand the ratchet member each provided with a lateral opening such as toenable application of the wrench head and ratchet laterally to and awayfrom a polygonal threaded connection, the head frame being ofpart-circular formation conforming closely to and not materiallyexceeding in width, the diameter of the ratchet member, the head framebeing extended rearwardly of the ratchet member to constitute a tailportion; said tail portion being located closely adjacent the ratchetmember and being provided with a pair of pawl recesses depthwise thereofin a region close to the ratchet memher, a pawl in each of saidrecesses, each of said pawls consisting of a blade element and apart-cylindrical pivot portion integral therewith, the tail portion ofthe head frame being provided with a depthwise pawl journal socketadjacent each pawl recess, the two pawls being located adjacent oppositesides of the tail portion of the head frame. and being located so asnormally to engage the teeth of the ratchet member with the pawlsmutually at right angles to each other and with each pawl arranged withits blade portion substantially along a line tangent to a circle on theaxis of rotation of the ratchet member, a spring in each pawl recess,located to urge the adjacent pawl toward the ratchet member, the tailportion of the head frame being provided with a wrench handle socket; apawl control slide of arcuate form overlying a portion of the peripheryof the ratchet member and overlying the pawls and serving to retain theratchet member and pawls in assembly, the slide being movabletransversely of the head frame along an are immediately overlying theperiphery of the ratchet member and provided in its end regions withdepending pawl-blocking projections adapted, in one position of theslide. to abut the respective pawls and retain the same out ofengagement with the teeth of the ratchet member, the pawl recesses beingformed so as to receive the pawls, whereby to enable free rotation ofthe ratchet member relative to said head frame, a finger pieceprojecting upwardly of the slide. a cover for the head frame having aslot receiving the finger piece and serving to limit the range ofmovement thereof. the finger piece extending above said cover, the endsof the slot in eoaction with the finger piece, respectively establishingin-action and out-of-action positions of both of the pawls. the coverfor the head frame endwise engaging the pawls for retention of same inassembly and overlying the slide for assembly retention of the same. anda wire spring fastener extending around the periphery of the cover andengaging the head frame for assembly of the entire periphery of thecover to the head frame.

8. In a ratchet wrench, a head frame, a ratchet journalled in said headframe. the ratchet being provided with an axial o ening therethrough,means for rotating the ratchet. said opening being formed to provide anarcuate rear wall and substantially straight, parallel side walls, eachof the side walls of said o ening being provided approximatel mediallythereof with a mortise, each mortise having a front and rear margindisposed at an acute angle to the side walls. each mortise beingarranged svmmetricall relative to the transverse axis of said ratchet,and a socket member having a shank carried coaxiallv by the ratchet insaid opening. the shank being substantially of a U-shaped cross section.and includes an arcuate rear wall. and substantially straight. parallelside walls adapted to lie contiguouslv with the respective arcuate andstraight walls of the ratchet opening. each side wall of the shank beingprovided approximately medially thereof with a tenon. each tenon havinga front and a rear shoulder disposed at an acute angle to the adjacentside wall, each tenon being arranged symmetrically relative to saidtransverse axis and adapted to be received by the corresponding mortise,whereby to provided a driving connection between the ratchet and thesocket member.

9. In a ratchet Wrench, a head frame, a ratchet journalled in the headframe, means for rotating the ratchet, the ratchet being provided withan axial opening therethrough, said ratchet opening including opposedmortises, and a socket member including a shank carried coaxially by theratchet in said opening, said shank being provided with opposed tenonsadapted to interfit the corresponding mortises to realize a drivingconnection between the ratchet and socket member, the shank in assemblyextending upwardly to a height substantially above the top level of theratchet head, whereby to facilitate disengagement of the tenons andmortises incident to removal of the socket member from the ratchet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSSinclair Sept. 14, 1886 Hullinger Mar. 1, 1892 Hitt Apr. 29, 1913 DaltonOct. 20, 1914 Palmer Oct. 2, 1923 Peterson et al Dec. 21, 1948 Greer etal May 23, 1950 Fish Dec. 18, 1951 Fish Dec. 18, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTSFrance Feb. 12. 1929 France Apr. 25, 1951

